Biocompatibility of materials and products used in medicine and dental medicine

BackgroundBiomaterials are defined as substances intended to replace a part of the body or its function in a secure, safe and economical way, while being physiologically and aesthetically acceptable. Biomaterials can be bioinert or regenerative. Biocompatibility refers to the ability of a material to elicit a specific biological response after administration in a living organism. Measuring the biocompatibility of materials used in dentistry is not an easily achievable task.MethodsScientific databases – PubMed, Scopus and Medline, as well as monographs, textbooks on the topic, websites were used to search for the data required. The following keywords were used: biomaterials, biocompatibility, dental medicine, medicine, toxicity.The aim of the following article is to summarize the main conclusions authors in the field have reached to when discussing biocompatibility and tolerance of material and products used in medicine and dental medicine.Results and discussionIn depth results and discussion are presented in the section. Materials used in medicine and dental medicine encompass a wide range of compounds, with different chemical and physical structures. Therefore, profound knowledge is needed to be able to treat the patients and keep them safe as much as possible from possible adverse biological reactions.ConclusionsMedical and dental specialists should pay special attention to the content of the materials they implement in their treatment plans on a daily basis. Being profoundly informed on the general diseases, medications usage and allergic status of their patients can prevent adverse complications. Although medicine explores and studies in depth possible biological reactions, still they may occur

A historical review of the International Symposia on Recent Advances of Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyposis, organized since 2000 around the world

Background: The problems of rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis have been discussed further back in time. Nature of nasal polyps is diverse. Therapeutical approaches back then were original and strange in some cases. Connections with rhino-sinu-nasal pathologies have been proven in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Data shows that OSA severity is directly related to the response of the tissues in the area.Materials and methods: Scientific databases – PubMed, SCOPUS and MEDLINE were used to search for gathering the data in need. The following keywords rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, treatment. Information and data from the official websites of the organizing committees has been used. The aim of the following article is to study the history of rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis diagnosis and treatment development.Results and discussion: Acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis are conditions more frequently diagnosed nowadays, due to the multifactorial etiology they are linked to. Authors have been continuously working on the field, more abruptly since the year of 2000. A number of scientific events have been organized, where clinicians reached to consensus and issued guidelines on how the mentioned conditions should be treated. FESS and computer aided surgeries have been in the focus in the last 10 years.Conclusions: Rhino-sinu-nasal pathology is directly related to the quality of life of patients affected. Therefore, clinicians should continue working in the field, and investigating the root causes of the disorders. More attention is to be brought on the allergic etiology, often main cause of the nasal pathologies

Evaluation of two thermal neutron detection units consisting of ZnS/6{}^6LiF scintillating layers with embedded WLS fibers read out with a SiPM

Two single channel detection units for thermal neutron detection are investigated in a neutron beam. They consist of two ZnS/${}^6$LiF scintillating layers sandwiching an array of WLS fibers. The pattern of this units can be repeated laterally and vertically in order to build up a one dimensional position sensitive multi-channel detector with the needed sensitive surface and with the required neutron absorption probability. The originality of this work arises from the fact that the WLS fibers are read out with SiPMs instead of the traditionally used PMTs or MaPMTs. The signal processing system is based on a photon counting approach. For SiPMs with a dark count rate as high as 0.7 MHz, a trigger efficiency of 80% is achieved together with a system background rate lower than ${10}^{-3}$ Hz and a dead time of 30 $\mu$s. No change of performance is observed for neutron count rates of up to 3.6 kHz.Comment: Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods

History of the World Hearing Day

BackgroundAccording to recent data from the World Health Organization from 2019, approximately 466 million people are living with a disabling hearing loss, most of them in low- and middle-income countries. Undiagnosed and untreated hearing disorders are proven to be a leading cause for morbidity and cost annually $750 billion. Hearing disorders and hearing loss are believed to higher their prevalence due to the fact that a wide majority of people are exposed to high noises and lack of timely and adequate hearing diagnostics and treatment of ear conditions.MethodsScientific databases – PubMed, SCOPUS and MEDLINE were used to search for the information targeted. The following keywords – World Hearing Day, history, events, prophylaxis, hearing disorders were used. Information from the official websites of the societies involved in celebrating World Hearing Day was included as well. The aim of the following article is to study the history of the event from its foundation till today, aiming to stress out its usefulness. Results and discussionBack in 1995, World Health Assembly passed a resolution WHA48.9, in which attention of the health impact of hearing loss was put – 120 million people worldwide were living with a disabling hearing difficulties. During the World Health Assembly in 2017, with the adoption of the resolution WHA70.13, hearing care and hearing loss were highlighted as a public health issue. Authors claim that most of the causes for hearing loss are preventable.World Hearing Day is an international campaign, organized annually by the Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health Organization (WHO) on March, 3rd. Organizers claim that World Hearing Day is the largest global awareness event, aiming to bring society’s attention to ear and hearing disorders. It addresses hearing loss. First activities, connected with the World Hearing Day, took place in 2007, after the Beijing Declaration during the 1st International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss.ConclusionsLegislative measures are need to be undertaken to stress even further the importance of proper hearing. In the era of COVID-19 pandemic and its proven consequences on the hearing and vestibular system, urgent measures for timely diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation are more than ever needed

Tinnitus – a manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases

BackgroundTinnitus is a widespread hearing impairment that can be characterized by the perception of sound, such as tone or noise, in the absence of an appropriate external sound source. The cause of tinnitus and mechanism are unclear. The prevalence of tinnitus is higher in people over 60 years of age. Tinnitus is usually a manifestation of а hearing impairment. Symptoms can be acute or chronic. In most cases, tinnitus manifests as an idiopathic condition. In the clinical practice, common factors that affect the psychological and emotional well-being of people with tinnitus are: fear, stress, anxiety and depression, which in turn can cause insomnia, impaired concentration and cognitive dysfunction. Tinnitus is a heterogeneous disorder in terms of its etiology and clinic. Tinnitus is associated with hearing loss, as both symptoms often occur together, though in many clinical cases, people with hearing loss do not develop tinnitus.MethodsWe present а clinical case of a patient diagnosed with a posturographic system, along with a full otoneurological and hearing examinations. Methods of videonystagmography, video head impulse test, subjective visual vertical, audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions test, automated auditory brainstem response were used. We provided a dental check-up and an occlusion analysis. Patient filled out questionnaires and signed a written informed consent. The aim of the team was to analyze the manifestation of tinnitus as a precursor of a neurodegenerative disease.Results and discussionFrom the literature review done chronic tinnitus is associated with anatomical brain abnormalities, including decreased cortical gray matter and decreased white matter integrity. There is also a high prevalence of cognitive impairment reported among patients with tinnitus from a clinical point of view. Tinnitus is an independent risk factor for subsequent neurodegenerative disease. There are a number of neurological conditions that can be encountered in the otorhinolaryngological and dental practice. It is important for the dentist to enrich own knowledge of the underlying neurological conditions, as they may affect the provision of dental treatment. Our findings from the examinations executed are consistent with previous studies, which show that diabetes and head injuries can be risk factors for AD and neurodegeneration.ConclusionsFurther research is needed to re-confirm the conclusions of our research and to investigate the pathophysiology of the relationship between tinnitus and the Alzheimer’s disease and tinnitus and the Parkinson’s disease in more depth

Vestibular effects of diving

Over the last 45 years, recreational self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving as a leisure activity has increased in popularity. According to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), more than 23 million diver certificates have been issued across the globe. Given the popularity of scuba diving, it is incumbent on every physician to know and understand the specific medical hazards and conditions associated with scuba diving. Although diving has become more accessible and the equipment is much safer now, diving still has its inherent dangers. Each year incidents occur, ranging from seasickness and sinus problems to heart conditions and mortality. More than 80% of all diving complications occur in the head and neck region. A number of studies have found that diving can lead to the development of vestibular disorders such as: Barotrauma, Decompression sickness, Otitis externa, Bilateral exostoses, Chronic sinusitis (barosinusitis), Serous tubotympanic catarrh, Tinnitus, Dizziness, Vertigo.The aim of this paper was to share our experience in the field of treating patients with different types of ENT disorders after or before a diving session. We briefly summarized the most important information for some of the disorders.We included in our study for a period of 12 years: a total of 24 patients (four females and 20 males), who dive. They were between 25 and 55 years of age. Some presented in clinics with an ENT disorder. 19 were professional, qualified divers, five (three males and two females) dove for the first time. On all 24 patients we performed: audiometry tests, Tympanometry tests, OAE, Static and dynamic vestibular tests, vHIT – in the last five years, otoscopy examination, dental check-ups.All divers – no matter professionalists or not – should follow these recommendations: a thorough prophylactic ENT check-up should be performed before an active diving session. Chronic ENT inflammations should be addressed in a timely manner. Divers should follow all instructions from the certified Diving Associations